Sawatch
AvalancheCasey Graham · Mar 4, 2024 · Sawatch
Weather
Increasing west winds throughout the day made for active loading on east facing slopes. Mostly sunny with a thin layer of clouds (BRK-) most of the day. Temps were close to freezing.
Snowpack
HS ~200cm in sheltered terrain on both E and W aspects with wind affected snow (pillows and wind rolls) NTL and ATL. W aspect had 2 persistent layers (FC) on crusts and had sudden and propagating failures. E aspect NTL and ATLhad presence of a wind slab ~65cm thick resting on rimed PP (non-persistant). Sudden results in hasty pit tests.
Avalanche
Multiple natural and human intentionally triggered cornice falls on E aspect above Fooses NTL and ATL. No triggering of a wind slab from the cornice fall but entrainment of the new storm snow present. D1s